Legislators move more records off table

Thursday

The foster parents of 3-year-old Marcus Fiesel bound him, left him in a sweltering closet and took off for two days. He was dead when they returned. His body was burned.

The Cincinnati Enquirer set out to check on the backgrounds of foster parents amid signs officials did not properly investigate and train prospective foster parents.

The newspaper requested a database identifying foster parents from state officials while not seeking the names of children. The state said no, arguing it was not a public record.

The Enquirer then went to the Ohio Supreme Court and filed an appeal of the denial. The court heard arguments earlier this month and a ruling is awaited.

Meanwhile, state lawmakers are on the verge of declaring the identity of foster parents a state secret. A Senate committee this week approved House Bill 214, which includes a provision to cloak the identity of foster parents from public disclosure. The bill already has been passed by the House.

It is yet another in a growing list of examples of government moving to place itself above questioning and accountability by declaring certain information is none of the public's business.

Soon, the only way Ohioans apparently will learn of government foster-parent mistakes is when a child dies.

UPDATE: The Ohio Senate has unanimously approved House Bill 214, sending it to Gov. Ted Strickland for his signature. The bill also will improve foster parent training. Withholding the names of foster parents from public disclosure remained intact. Foster parent names will only be released if they are charged with a crime or lose their certification.

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